Western North Carolina’s mountains, forests, rivers, and rolling farmland are a big part of what makes the Asheville area such a special place to live. And while you can enjoy the scenery from a hiking trail, scenic drive, or Blue Ridge Parkway overlook, there’s another way to experience the landscape: spend a day on a working farm.
From meeting alpacas and goats to tasting locally made cheese, learning about beekeeping, picking flowers, exploring an apple orchard, or seeing how food is grown, there are plenty of farm experiences near Asheville worth adding to your WNC bucket list. Whether you’re searching for a fun family outing or looking for a deeper connection to the region’s agricultural community, these farms offer a glimpse into another side of life in the mountains.
Key Takeaways
- Western North Carolina is home to many farm experiences offering tours, tastings, animal encounters, U-pick activities, and seasonal events.
- ASAP’s annual Farm Tour offers a chance to explore working farms throughout Western North Carolina, with participating farms and experiences varying from year to year.
- Fall is an especially good time for farm visits, with apples, pumpkins, flowers, harvest activities, and other seasonal experiences in full swing.
Best Farms to Visit in WNC
If you’ve already explored Asheville’s farmers markets, the next step is to visit some of the farms behind the local food and agriculture scene. Across the region, farms open their gates in different ways, offering everything from animal encounters and farm tours to tastings, flower picking, seasonal events, and more. Here are a few worth exploring.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Located in Fairview, Hickory Nut Gap is a fifth-generation family farm known for its pasture-raised meats, farm store, and family-friendly activities. The farm is a particularly good fall destination, with seasonal activities that can include pumpkins, hayrides, apple cider, pony rides, and opportunities to see farm animals.
- Location: 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview, NC
- Type of Farm: Regenerative livestock farm and family farm
- Things to Do: Visit the farm store and butchery, shop for local products & enjoy seasonal farm activities; Check the Hickory Nut Gap events calendar for upcoming happenings.
Round Mountain Creamery
For a farm visit that combines animals and food, Round Mountain Creamery is hard to beat. This 28-acre working goat dairy in Black Mountain offers approximately 90-minute farm tours and cheese tastings by appointment, where visitors can meet the goats, learn about dairy farming and cheesemaking, and sample handcrafted farmstead cheeses.
- Location: 2203 Old Fort Road, Black Mountain, NC
- Type of Farm: Working goat dairy and artisan creamery
- Things to Do: Meet the goats, tour the farm and creamery, learn about the cheesemaking process & enjoy a guided cheese tasting. Tours are available by appointment, so book your farm tour and cheese tasting before visiting.
Apple Hill Farm
A little farther from Asheville in Banner Elk, Apple Hill Farm is a mountaintop working fiber farm where visitors can meet alpacas, llamas, angora goats, donkeys, pigs, and other members of the farm family.
- Location: 400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk, NC
- Type of Farm: Working alpaca and fiber farm
- Things to Do: Take a guided farm tour (reservations required), meet the animals, shop for alpaca and fiber products, and participate in seasonal events such as goat and alpaca shearing; See upcoming events at Apple Hill Farm.
Killer Bees Honey
Killer Bees Honey is an artisanal beekeeping company tucked into the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, surrounded by 512,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest. Their bees forage on a variety of native plants in this secluded, farm-free environment, producing distinctive wildflower honey with an emphasis on purity, quality, and natural beekeeping practices.
- Location: Lake Toxaway area, NC
- Type of Farm: Artisanal apiary and beekeeping operation
- Things to Do: Schedule a private honey tasting and culinary experience featuring honey tastings, food pairings, champagne, and an introduction to beekeeping and honey production.
Winchester Creek Farm
For a family-friendly farm experience, head to Winchester Creek Farm in Waynesville. This 20-acre family-owned farm is home to alpacas, llamas, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, cows, donkeys, and other miniature farm animals, with educational tours that give visitors the chance to meet the animals and learn more about farm life.
- Location: 386 Walker Road, Waynesville, NC
- Type of Farm: Alpaca and miniature farm animal farm
- Things to Do: Take an educational or private farm tour, host a birthday party, meet the animals & visit the gift shop; Check the schedule for seasonal events and alpaca yoga classes.
Olivette Farm
Just north of Asheville, Olivette Farm is a four-acre farm focused on sustainably grown, seasonal vegetables. The farm welcomes visitors and volunteers and is part of the larger Olivette Riverside Community, making it a nice option for anyone interested in local food and sustainable agriculture.
- Location: 172 Old Macedonia Road, Asheville, NC
- Type of Farm: Sustainable vegetable farm
- Things to Do: Learn about sustainable agriculture, participate in volunteer opportunities, pick up a CSA box, and explore seasonal community events.
Flying Cloud Farm
Flying Cloud Farm in Fairview offers a simpler kind of farm visit: stop by the roadside stand, pick up something grown right there, and, during the growing season, pick your own flowers. The farm grows vegetables, berries, and flowers using sustainable methods and operates its self-serve farm stand from spring through December.
- Location: 1860 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC
- Type of Farm: Sustainable vegetable, berry, and flower farm
- Things to Do: Shop the self-serve farm stand, purchase seasonal produce and flowers, and pick your own flower bouquet during the growing season.
Mount Gilead Farm
Just outside Asheville in Leicester, Mount Gilead Farm is a family-owned working goat dairy and cheesemaking operation. Visitors are encouraged to experience the agricultural side of the farm, with opportunities depending on the season to see goats being milked, watch cheese being made, interact with baby goats, and explore the property.
- Location: 588 Green Valley Rd, Leicester, NC
- Type of Farm: Working goat dairy and farmstead creamery
- Things to Do: Meet the goats and other farm animals, visit the farm store, see the milking and cheesemaking operations, participate in goat yoga, or stay in one of their two side-by side vacation units.
Montgomery Sky Farm
Tucked into the Turkey Creek Valley in Leicester, Montgomery Sky Farm is a 50-acre working farm founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Taylor Montgomery and his wife, Fran, where regenerative agriculture, animal rehabilitation and rescue, and private dining experiences come together to create a thoughtful connection to the land.
- Location: 339 Turkey Creek Rd, Leicester, NC
- Type of Farm: Regenerative working farm and animal rehabilitation/rescue
- Things to Do: Take a guided farm tour, enjoy a creekside picnic, experience seed-to-table dining, meet rescued animals, or attend a seasonal event through a reservation, scheduled experience, or private booking.
North River Farms
North River Farms in Mills River is a family-owned working farm that offers a more traditional look at agriculture in Henderson County. The farm grows and sells hay and u-pick produce and also provides educational farm tours and hayrides, making it a nice option for families or anyone interested in seeing a working farm up close.
- Location: 3333 N Mills River Rd, Mills River, NC
- Type of Farm: Working agricultural and livestock farm
- Things to Do: Take a farm tour or hayride, pick your own produce, host a party, camp riverside, participate in guided fishing or hunting; Check the events schedule for seasonal events & activities.
Wilde Dairy Goats
For something a little more hands-on and undeniably cute, head to Wilde Dairy Goats in Candler. This small Asheville-area micro-farm is home to Miniature Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf goats and offers experiences designed to let visitors interact with the herd, including goat snuggle sessions and goat yoga.
- Location: 984 Monte Vista Road, Candler, NC
- Type of Farm: Micro-farm and dairy goat farm
- Things to Do: Book a goat snuggle session, participate in goat yoga, shop for small-batch goat milk skincare products, book a picnic pop-up or special goat event.
Honorable Mentions: Warren Wilson College Farm and Biltmore’s Antler Hill Barn & Farmyard
Located in Swannanoa, the Warren Wilson College Farm is a student-run mixed-crop and livestock operation that has been part of the college’s hands-on educational model since 1894. Visitors can see the working farm and animals, shop for farm products at the General Store, and explore the college’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and land stewardship.
Biltmore’s Antler Hill Barn & Farmyard is also worth mentioning, although it’s a different experience from the independent working farms on this list. Located in Antler Hill Village, the Farmyard gives visitors a family-friendly look at historic farm life, with livestock, farm talks, and seasonal demonstrations such as goat milking and grooming. Access is included with Biltmore daytime admission. The estate also offers a Farm-to-Table Tour & Taste for a behind-the-scenes agricultural experience.
ASAP Farm Tour 2026
If you want to turn farm visits into a full weekend adventure, ASAP’s Farm Tour is one of the best opportunities of the year. The annual event opens working farms across Western North Carolina to visitors for guided tours, demonstrations, tastings, animal encounters, and other hands-on experiences.
The 2026 ASAP Farm Tour takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20, from noon to 5 p.m. A single vehicle pass covers everyone in the vehicle at all participating farms on both days. Passes are $35 before September 19 and $45 during the tour weekend.
There are 18 participating farms, organized into five geographic clusters, so visitors can build their own itinerary rather than trying to see everything in one afternoon.
2026 Farm Tour Stops
ASAP recommends choosing two to four farms per day and allowing at least an hour at each stop, plus travel time. Because some rural areas may have unreliable cell service, it’s also a good idea to map your route ahead of time.
Haywood Cluster
Leicester Cluster
- Durrant Farms Estate
- Addison Farms Vineyard
- Good Wheel Farm
- Black Thorn Farm
- Two Trees Farm/Sustainabillies
Barnardsville Cluster
Morganton Cluster
Polk Cluster
Tips for Visiting a Farm
A little preparation can make your farm visit much more enjoyable. Every farm is different, so always check its website or contact the farm directly before heading out.
- Check hours and reservations. Some farms welcome drop-in visitors, while others require advance reservations.
- Look at the season. U-pick crops, animals, flowers, and other activities can change throughout the year.
- Wear appropriate shoes. Closed-toe shoes are a good choice for working farms, especially if you’ll be walking through fields or pastures.
- Bring weather gear. WNC weather can change quickly, so sunscreen, water, a rain jacket, and bug spray can all come in handy.
- Bring cash when appropriate. Some farms and rural vendors may have limited card service.
- Respect the farm. Stay on designated paths, follow posted rules, and don’t feed or approach animals unless invited to do so.
- Ask about pets. Farm policies vary, and animals, food-safety considerations, and working equipment can make some farms unsuitable for dogs.
- Plan extra time. A farm visit is rarely something you want to rush. Leave room for a farm stand, picnic, scenic drive, or unexpected stop along the way.
Bottom Line
One of the best things about living in Western North Carolina is how easy it is to connect with the land around you. A Saturday morning at an orchard, a goat cheese tasting in the afternoon, and fresh-picked farm flowers can all become part of everyday life here.
At Altamont Property Group, we know Asheville and the surrounding communities well, from in-town neighborhoods to mountain properties, acreage, farms, and land. If you’re looking for more than a weekend farm visit, we’d love to help you find a home where this kind of lifestyle is right outside your door.
Farm Visit FAQ
Are farm tours available year-round in Western North Carolina?
Some farms offer tours throughout the year, while others operate primarily during specific seasons or around special events. If you’re searching for farm visits near you, check the individual farm’s current schedule before making the trip, since hours, crops, and activities can change seasonally.
What are other fun activities to do around WNC?
There are plenty of ways to experience the outdoors and local culture, including waterfall hikes, scenic drives, apple picking, farmers markets, live music, breweries & wineries, festivals, and seasonal events. Farm visits and farm experiences near you are just one of many great ways to get outside and experience a unique side of Western North Carolina.
Do farms in Western North Carolina allow pets?
Pet policies vary from farm to farm. Some farms welcome leashed dogs in designated outdoor areas, while others don’t allow pets because of livestock, food-safety requirements, or other working-farm considerations. For larger events like ASAP’s Farm Tour, visitors are specifically encouraged to leave dogs at home.
Does it cost money to visit a farm?
Sometimes. Some farms offer free access to farm stands or certain areas, while guided tours, tastings, U-pick activities, classes, and special events may have admission fees. Check with each farm’s webpage or call ahead of time, as fees may vary and change from year-to-year.
